Lyon Owner: I’ve Been Told One EPL Match Is Fixed Each Year, More Common in Other Leagues

July 20. Recently, John Textor, the American businessman who owns both Ligue 1 club Lyon and Brazilian side Botafogo, gave an interview to Abre Aspas, where he directly addressed the topic of match-fixing.

“I’ve been told that one match in the Premier League is fixed each year, and in Ligue 1, this number might be two. As far as I know, match-fixing is more widespread in leagues in Greece, Turkey, and other countries.”

“In another country, for example, Italy, five players were accused of fixing a match. Honestly, this doesn’t mean these players are bad people; I just don’t understand why they would do it. Was there a gun to their heads?”

Textor also responded to allegations of match-fixing involving former Lyon midfielder Lucas Paquetá, stating, “There is now a player under investigation who used to play for Lyon, who has since joined West Ham United, and he is from Brazil. I don’t know what his motives were or how it works in other leagues. Did they get paid? Were they threatened? Were their lives in danger?”

When asked about his knowledge of Paquetá’s case, Textor said, “Yes, he has been charged, but I don’t know much about the case. However, this isn’t something that just started last season; it happens everywhere.”

This is not the first time Textor has spoken about such issues. Previously, he issued a statement on his personal website claiming that at least two matches involving Brazilian club Palmeiras were manipulated, with five São Paulo players involved in one of those games. After his Brazilian team, Botafogo, squandered a lead of over ten points and lost the championship last season, Textor lashed out at the referees, saying, “If not for them fixing matches, we would have a 21-point lead!”